Why can't the English be more like the French?

[Rich]

I thought whiskey is what people meant when they talk about tea Realizing I was wrong isn't going to change how I handle "tea time"

Maybe if the British switched to whiskey (instead of hot beer) they'd wake up a bit and stopping letting their government turn their country into a gerbal cage.

In the UK, my first pet was a gerbil. I gave him the name Rambo. Only a week after I'd christened him I forgetfully left the cage open. While I was at school, our cat jumped in and tore him to pieces. - might be an esoteric analogy there... time for another cuppa :)

 

[the_hammer]

There is one thing though, that the "froggies" and the "rosbifs" have in common, which is that neighter knows how to make nice bread. Some of the cakes are excellent in both countries, but the bread is simply horrible and the taste has to be masked with some kind of topping, which is kind of fortunate since they both make nice cheese IMO of course.

 

[Rich]

just recieved this mildly amusing Bill Maher video link, filmed at the time of the french elections with the theme why can't the americans be more like the french: _http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKS0yISz6xQ

 

[Ryan]

I thought whiskey is what people meant when they talk about tea

"Irish Tea" experiment results: Very tasty! Early versions were a bit heavy on the whiskey - about a nip of Jamesons per largish cup seems to be a nice blend.

 

[Keit]

I thought whiskey is what people meant when they talk about tea

"Irish Tea" experiment results: Very tasty! Early versions were a bit heavy on the whiskey - about a nip of Jamesons per largish cup seems to be a nice blend.

Here are additional results of "Irish tea" experiment: Definitely going to be a beverage of my choice for this winter.
But I messed a little with the experiment and added a cinnamon stick. Recommended!
Now it's time for another round... ;)

 

[Laura]

Speaking of cinnamon sticks and Irish whiskey...

Put two tablespoons fresh lemon juice in a cup with three tablespoons of honey or maple syrup. Add 5 whole cloves and a cinnamon stick. Fill with hot water and whiskey in your preferred ratio. Wonderful on a cold winter's night or when you have a cold.

 

[Beau]

Thanks for the tip. I got a cold last month and did the lemon, honey, and water mixture and it helped a lot. I'll be interested to see the added benefits of the cloves and cinnamon sticks. I'm pretty sure what the benefits of the whisky will be :D

 

[Hildegarda]

I loved that article, it was the funniest thing I have read in a while. I agree with Johnno's observations :) Yet, what stood out most for me after reading the article was that how far back into history that hostility goes b\w the English and the French, and how everywhere I've been, people are convinced that their way of life is better than that of their neighbors :) All this stuff makes for a lot of unnecessary separation b\w people, and despite the light-hearted subject matter and the fun descriptions, the final impression was somewhat melancholy.

 

[Joe]

I loved that article, it was the funniest thing I have read in a while. I agree with Johnno's observations :) Yet, what stood out most for me after reading the article was that how far back into history that hostility goes b\w the English and the French, and how everywhere I've been, people are convinced that their way of life is better than that of their neighbors :) All this stuff makes for a lot of unnecessary separation b\w people, and despite the light-hearted subject matter and the fun descriptions, the final impression was somewhat melancholy.

Indeed. My sister-in-law is English. During a conversation a while ago someone mentioned the French and she immediately made it known that she did not like them. When I asked her why she looked puzzled and could only come up with a few nebulous non-answers. So I pressed her on the subject and she finally had to admit that the only reason she did not like the French was because her father did not like the French.

And so it goes. My kingdom for an ounce of critical independent thinking!

Joe

 

[Erykah]

During a conversation a while ago someone mentioned the French and she immediately made it known that she did not like them. When I asked her why she looked puzzled and could only come up with a few nebulous non-answers.

I recently had a similar interaction with my children's Karate Professor. I shared we were taking a family vacation to France, the professor instantly replied, "Why would you want to go to France, they hate Americans!" I was a bit perplexed by this response and I said in a respectable manner, "I think you mean to say that the American's dislike the French" She just gave me a stunned look and changed the subject.
It is interesting that in America many people have something negative to say about the French, again with no real substance to their reasoning. Yesterday I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Boycott French Products" strange indeed!